News | December 2006

In September, 46 artists from around the country converged on Sonoma, CA, where they spent a week painting the landscapes of the Sonoma Valley. The juried event resulted in a single prize: the Sonoma Plein Air Artists’ Choice Award, which went to Nancy MacDonald for the old rossi ranch. Proceeds from the silent auction were donated to art education in Sonoma Valley schools.

Results for Wyoming Shows

September’s Arts for the Parks show in Jackson, WY, awarded more than $70,000 in prizes, with the grand prize of $25,000 going to Marion Hylton’s one of the fallen— little bighorn battlefield national monument. The regional award winners, each of whom received $3,000, were Dean Mitchell, Brian Slawson, and Heidi Hahn. In the miniature category, Hugh Greer won the gold medal and $10,000 for the buck stops here—harry s. truman national historic site. Stan Pawelczyk, Dan Stouffer, and Reid Christie received $2,000 regional awards.

Also in Jackson in September, the Western Visions Miniatures and More show at the National Museum of Wildlife Art earned more than $1 million in sales. Harley Brown’s echo won the Red Smith Award. People’s Choice went to Jim Morgan.

The Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale in Cody, WY, also exceeded the $1 million mark—for the first time in the show’s 25-year history. Dave McGary’s the gatekeeper commanded the top price of $28,000. The William E. Weiss Purchase Award went to Joseph Bohler, Cyrus Afsary won the Painting Award, R.V. Greeves took home the Sculpture Award, and People’s Choice went to Steve Devenyns. The Artists’ Choice resulted in a three-way tie among Grant Redden, Jim Wilcox, and Cyrus Afsary.

Oil Painters of America

Winners of the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition were announced September 15. Wayne Waldron won Best of Show for enchanted woods. Carolyn Texera received the Southwest Art Award of Excellence for two oranges and stripes. Other Award of Excellence recipients included Nancy S. Crookston, David Lupes, Thom C. Robinson, and Cindy Harlan Youse.

The OPA Western Regional winners were announced on October 7, with Clement Kwan’s square dancing winning Best of Show and Teresa Dong’s in sausalito bay receiving the Southwest Art Award of Excellence. Other artists recognized included Ariana Richards, Zhiwei Tu, and Kurt Anderson.

New Show at the Eiteljorg

The first annual Quest for the West Art Show and Sale was presented by the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, IN. Held in September, the invitational drew 50 of the nation’s premier western artists, with sales exceeding $1 million. Don Crowley’s oil art of the west sold for $40,000 and won the Award of Distinction and the Patrons’ Choice Award. Dennis Doheny received the Museum Purchase Award, Robert Griffing won Best Painting, and Doug Hyde took Best Sculpture. The Palette Award went to Brian Blood, and Curt Walters took Best Overall Presentation.

Out & About

The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, WY, acquired a rare, complete set of Andy Warhol’s Endangered Species portfolio, numbered prints the artist made in 1983…. Verano Fine Art Gallery recently opened in Bisbee, AZ….The Rothko Chapel in Houston, TX, unveiled a sculptural installation piece by Michael Somoroff entitled illumination 1, on display until January….The Friends of Western Art in Tucson, AZ, named Arizona painter Francois Koch Artist of the Year 2007….Carla D’Aguanno’s sabino gold won the John Steven Jones $5,000 purchase award at the Bosque Conservatory’s 21st annual Conservatory Art Classic in Clifton, TX. The Conservatory Art Patrons’, purchase award went to Kim Hill for no barrel of laughs.